Philadelphia Orchestra: Yannick conducts Messiah - 6abc Loves the Arts

November 30, 2015 (WPVI) -- The holiday season is in full swing, and that means it's time for The Philadelphia Orchestra's annual Christmas concert.

Since its founding more than a century ago, The Philadelphia Orchestra has always staged a December performance of Handel's Messiah, and concertmaster David Kim says it's a show that always packs the house, "It's one of the great oratorios ever written and it's quite a spectacle," says Kim, "The audience knows so much of it, and of course the Hallelujah chorus is something that everybody recognizes."

And for those who come year after year, he says, this year marks something different.

"Our music director, Yannick Nzet-Sguin... loves doing masses and requiems and oratorios, and so this is the first time that the Philadelphia Orchestra will be performing the Messiah with him, and so I think it's going to be very special," says Kim.

In its full strength, the orchestra has well over 100 musicians, but Kim says this concert is more along the lines of a chamber ensemble, "So each voice is very clear and exposed, and so it's kind of like a bunch of soloists getting together and playing this work in front of the public."

The musicians will be joined onstage by the chorus and four world-class soloists.

"It's truly one of the highlights of the concert season for me," says Kim, who says there are locals and out-of-towners alike who come to Philadelphia every year just to see this performance. "It's a highlight of the holiday season."

The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Handel's Messiah December 11-13th in the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall. For tickets and show times, go to www.TheArtsinPhilly.org.